1Introduction

This chapter tells you what Stratum 4D does, which layouts it has, and how to use this manual.

What Stratum 4D is

Stratum 4D is a planning and 4D simulation tool for construction projects. It reads a schedule from Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project. It can also read a 3D building model in the IFC format.

You link the model elements to the activities of the schedule. Stratum then shows the construction sequence in 3D, day by day. You can calculate the schedule, record progress, compare against a baseline and make reports.

How you work in Stratum 4D Import Model Link Schedule Simulate Report 1 Open a P6 XER orMS Project XML file. 2 Load the IFC model(4D layout). 3 Link model elementsto activities. 4 Calculate dates (F9),update progress. 5 Play the constructionsequence in 3D. 6 Dashboards, KPIs, XER,XML, PowerPoint, video. Stages 2, 3 and 5 are in the 4D layout. You can do stages 1, 4 and 6 in all three layouts.
Figure 1-1. The six stages of work in Stratum 4D.

The three layouts

Stratum 4D has three layouts. All three layouts use the same calculation engine and the same project data. When you change the layout, the open project stays open.

P6 layout Looks and works likePrimavera P6 Professional. Use it for: EPS, WBS, activities,resources, baselines, F9 and F10. Switch: top bar › P6 · Ctrl+Alt+1 MS Project layout Looks and works likeMicrosoft Project, with the ribbon. Use it for: tasks, Task Usage,Team Planner, MS Project XML. Switch: top bar › Project · Ctrl+Alt+2 4D layout 3D model, Gantt chart and theplayback timeline together. Use it for: IFC models, links,4D simulation, video, quantities. Switch: top bar › 4D · Ctrl+Alt+3
Figure 1-2. The three layouts and what each layout is for.

To change the layout

  1. On the top bar, click P6, Project or 4D.The new layout opens with the same project.
  2. Alternatively, push Ctrl+Alt+1, 2 or 3.
The P6 layout with the sample project
Figure 1-3. The P6 layout with the 220 kV GIS substation sample project.
The Project layout with the sample project
Figure 1-4. The Project layout (Microsoft Project style) with the same project.
The 4D layout with the sample project
Figure 1-5. The 4D layout: Gantt chart on the left, 3D model in the middle, link tools on the right and the timeline at the bottom.

The sample projects

Stratum 4D has two sample projects. You can use them to learn the software without your own files. The two sample projects are fictional.

Sample projectContents
220 kV GIS substation (UAE)46 activities on a UAE 6-day calendar, costs in AED, resources, a baseline and a 3D model with 202 elements.
Small RC buildingA small concrete building with 14 activities and a 3D model. Use it for a fast first test.

This manual uses the 220 kV GIS substation project for most examples.

How to use this manual

This manual is written in ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English. Each chapter starts with its purpose. Then it gives a description and the procedures.

A NOTE gives information that helps you.
A CAUTION tells you about a risk of loss of data.

The words in the layouts

Each layout uses the words of the software that it copies. The table gives the words for the same item in each layout.

ItemP6 layoutProject layout4D layout
One item of workActivityTaskTask
Its identifierActivity IDID (row number)Task ID
Date of the last progress updateData dateStatus dateData date
Calculate the datesSchedule (F9)Calculate Project (F9)Reschedule (F9)
Time that work can slipTotal floatTotal slackTF
Group of workWBSSummary taskWBS

Related chapters: 2 Installation, 3 First start, 4 Projects and files.

2. Installation →

Stratum 4D User Manual, release 0.11.0. Stratum 4D by Miqyas Labs, developed by Junaid Quamar. Written in ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English.